Heavy penalties face those keeping wild animals in their homes.
A new law regulating the possession, trade and breeding of dangerous animals has been welcomed by animal welfare activists in the United Arab Emirates.
Heavy penalties face those keeping wild animals in their homes.
El Sayed Mohamed, regional director at the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Dubai, told The National newspaper, "People keep wild animals as a status symbol. Also they are under the misconception that by having wild animals in their homes they are conserving them."
In the UAE, the most popular exotic animals kept as pets include cheetahs, tiger and lion cubs, snakes, crocodiles and primates, said Mohamed.
Susan Aylott, of Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi, said, "The law is a great step forward but there needs to be general awareness to educate the public, greater enforcement and clear guidelines as to how to report abuse cases with acceptable legal evidence.”